Thill-coupling



( No Model.)

P. M. & J. H.

HILL

RiGHARDSON. T COUPLING.

No. 419,886. Patent-ed JaJn'. 21 1890;

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@513 (l/Horne? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK M. RICHARDSON AND JOSEPH H. RICHARDSON, OF CLAREMONT,

. VIRGINIA.

THILL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 419,886, dated January 21, 1890. Application filed May 23, 1889. Serial No.3l1','792- (No model.)

Claremont, in the county of Surry and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'lhill-Couplings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention pertains to certain new and useful improvements in thill-couplings, hav- 1ng-f0r its object the provision of simple and highly-efficient means for preventing rattling of the parts, to provide for holding the shafts elevated when not in use, and for permitting of the ready and easy uncoupling and removal of such shafts when desired.

The invention comprises a thill having a T-shaped end engaging a hooked shouldered plate, a spring secured to such thill for engaging such shoulder when the shafts are elevated, and a removable keeper-plate and screw for holding said T-shaped end in place, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 isa side elevation of our improved thill-coupling. Fig. 2 1s a longitudinal sectional View thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4. is a detail.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a clip secured upon an axle a and provided with an outwardly-projecting arm a, having curved or hooked extensions a wherein is a slot forming a shoulder a B is the thill-plate, secured to the shaft or tongue b and provided with a T end or extension b', which fits between and beneath the curved or hooked extensions ed. A keeper-plate C, having a curved front edge, holds said T end of the thill in place, said plate being provided with a central slot cl, through which ascrew d is passed, said screw working in an aperture of arm a. Vhen screwed firmly in place, the head of said screw is projected transversely across the slot in the keeper-plate, and firmly holds the latter in place, and by turning it in alignment with said slot said plate can be secured-so as to free the T end of the thill from engagement with the hooked extensions a.

D is a spring arm or plate adj ustably secured by a nutted bolt cl to the under side of the thill, said bolt being passed through a slot (71 of said spring -arm. A U-shaped plate or rod (1 serves to additionally hold or limit the movement of said spring-arm. The outer free end of this spring arm or plate has a thickened or shouldered portion (1* and a thumb-piece d said shouldered portion be ing held firmly against the under side of arm a when the shaft or tongue is in its normal position, and is designed to engage the shoulder a of said arm when said shaft or tongue is elevated, whereby the latter is so held.

The keepenplate can be firmly held at any desired point, and by means thereof the T end is held as against rattling, and the use of rubber or other elastic cushions is rendered unnecessary. The spring-arm also serves to prevent rattling in addition to holding the shaft or tongue elevated. WVhen so held, the shouldered end (Z fits snugly between the shoulder (1 of arm a and the shoulder on the thill formed by the T end thereof.

WVe claim as our invention- As an improvement in thill-couplings and shaft-supports, the combination of the clip having an outwardly-projecting arm provided with curved or hooked extensions and a lower curved portion, the shaft coupled to said clip, and the spring-arm secured at its forward end to said shaft and having its rear end provided with a rounded portion, and a thumb-piece or shoulder designed to bear between said extensions when the shaft is elevated, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK M. RICHARDSON. JOSEPH H. RICHARDSON. Witnesscs:

CLARENCE P. BURT, JOHN OALKINs. 

